Articles - Pitchstone Waters (Page 45)

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All our thoughts, opinions and discussions.

Mountain Lions of Far-West Texas

"Invasion Biology"

Mountain Lions of Far-West Texas

Much of what we used to ‘know’ about mountain lions turns out to be wrong, starting with the belief they are a threat to livestock or humans. Lions – and all other predators – are necessary to the health of wildlife and habitat. Note: This amazing video was produced by Yeti in

Book Review: ‘Inheritors of the Earth’ by Chris D. Thomas

"Invasion Biology"

Book Review: ‘Inheritors of the Earth’ by Chris D. Thomas

Here is better way of thinking about so-called invasive species. Ask yourself: How many invasive species have ever been eliminated? How much damage have we done to native plants, animals and our finances trying unsuccessfully to eliminate invasive species? What if, instead of “always trying to defend the losers,” we

"Invasion Biology"

Wolves' Return to Oregon Brings Conflict and Opportunity

Wolves help wildlife and habitat but they also – historically with good cause – terrify many people. Mexican Wolves, the native wolf of far-West Texas, is a small and comparatively harmless relative of the larger northern timber wolves which are the subject of this article. The important distinction between sub-species is lost

circle_ranch_west_texas_new_year_2017

Happy New Year From Circle Ranch

2015 was the year of the big blizzard. New Year 2015 from Christopher Gill on Vimeo.

The Culling of Wild Deer Based on Antler Size Is Inefficient - at Best

The Culling of Wild Deer Based on Antler Size Is Inefficient - at Best

As it turns out, a central practice of deer ‘management’ – the culling of so-called management deer based on their antler size – is somewhere between worthless and outright damaging to wild deer herd genetics and populations. Wildlife ‘management’ as currently practiced is the worst thing ever to befall wildlife.

Ipomopsis_aggregata_circle_ranch

Plants That Get Tougher and Meaner When Attacked

The idea that plants need animals as much as animals need plants is counterintuitive to those trained to think nature consists of disconnected parts which can be independently manipulated. But, holistic thinkers have always said that nature’s individual parts are interdependent. As any gardener knows, pinching back flowers to

Merry Christmas from Circle Ranch

Merry Christmas from Circle Ranch

“God bless us, every one!”

Environmental Quality Is More Than Just the Climate

Environmental Quality Is More Than Just the Climate

The United States has done a very good job of reducing carbon emissions and human pollutants from sewage and industrial chemicals. But, simultaneously we have unleashed a devastating new environmental problem that has no smell or taste: pesticides and other farmland and rangeland chemicals. These have been in growing use

milkweed_clothing

"Invasion Biology"

This Winter’s Hot Fashion: Parkas Stuffed With Vermont Weeds

Long attacked with poisons as a noxious invasive, milkweed turns out to be useful. In addition to its value as an organic insulator in clothes, milkweed is essential to the embattled Monarch butterfly and other wild animals. NOTE: This post initially appeared on WSJ.comm on September 27, 2017 New

african_grasslands

A South African Solution to Texas’ Feral Hog Problem

This story of a start-up hog farm in South Africa points to how Texas can address its wild pig ‘problem’. Hogs can improve soil by by rooting for food, trampling, eating plants, tilling in seeds with their hooves and leaving behind dung and urine. They do best on rangeland, where

pronghorn_circle_ranch

Successful Pronghorn Transplants Require Ecosystem Health

Pronghorn cannot be restored by themselves. Healthy grasslands need periodic grazing by keystone species like bison or cattle, lots of prey and lots of predators. Removing any of these components will unwind the system. Animals, plants and the soil life biome are interdependent and inseparable. Hurt any piece and you

Wild Horses Wait on New Pastures

Animal Development

Wild Horses Wait on New Pastures

Viewed in hindsight, it turns out the good intentions of horse advocates have led to bad consequences for horses. The slaughter prohibition discourages horse ownership. The wild horse population explosion has caused a backlash in sentiment towards wild horses. And, Mexican slaughter yards are less humane than America’s. NOTE:

Ranchers Deploy Donkeys Against Dingoes in Australia

Ranchers Deploy Donkeys Against Dingoes in Australia

In yet another example of species that have the same diet being complementary not competitive, burros and horses (equids) will defend other species such as sheep against predators. If we think outside the box, perhaps the equids’ inbred hostility to coyotes, wolves and lions might make them useful in protecting

Texas Elk and the North American Wildlife Conservation Model

"Invasion Biology"

Texas Elk and the North American Wildlife Conservation Model

For 150-years American conservationists have followed the the North American Wildlife Conservation Model. It has been beneficial for waterfowl and iconic big game species across the continent with the exception of elk in far-West Texas. Here on state-managed lands Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) bighorn sheep managers kill all

the_agriculture_of_hope

"Invasion Biology"

The Agriculture Of Hope: Climate Farmers Of North America

We can debate whether human impact contributes to climate change, but we cannot deny that human agricultural practices harm range and farm lands. These practices can be changed in ways that will restore the land, its profitability and conceivably, help the climate as well. NOTE: This post initially appeared on

This Tiny Country Feeds the World

This Tiny Country Feeds the World

Humane, low chemical, sustainable intensive agriculture, Dutch style. NOTE: this article initially appeared on NationalGeographic.com . It appeared in the September 2017 edition of the magazine. The Netherlands has become an agricultural giant by showing what the future of farming could look like. The great indoors provides optimal growing conditions

goats_in_trees_morocco

These Hungry Goats Learned to Branch Out

At Circle Ranch we have also found that goats can be very useful as grazing tools to help maintain habitat for wildlife. NOTE: This article was originally published to NYTimes.com on June 12, 2017. Photo credit: Dave Watts/Minden Pictures No, this is not an illustration from a book

Devils River in far-West Texas

Devils River in far-West Texas

Incredible scenery and great fly fishing in the remote desert of West Texas.

How and Why Holistic Planned Grazing Can Restore Habitat and Ranch Income

"Invasion Biology"

How and Why Holistic Planned Grazing Can Restore Habitat and Ranch Income

This paper, authored by Texas A&M range scientist Richard Teague and colleague Matt Barnes, discusses what has worked best for planned graziers across the world, and why conventional range studies have been unable to analyze their results. The paper was published in the African Journal of Range &

wind_power_texas

Germany’s Shift to Green Power Stalls, Despite Huge Investments

Since 2000 Germany has spent $220 billion on ‘clean’ energy subsidies. Its carbon emissions have not declined, but consumers’ electric costs have doubled (it could have been far worse). The investment groups and others who know how to game the subsidies are the winners. Now, Germany is reconsidering ‘renewable’ energy.

Alaska’s Rivers and West Texas’ Deserts

Alaska’s Rivers and West Texas’ Deserts

Unspoiled Alaskan rivers like the Sandy River have an incredible abundance of animals, birds and marine life. Out here on the end of the Alaska Peninsula, the migratory keystone species – salmon – predators and abundant prey are seen in constant interaction. Texas’ deserts, where wildlife diversity and populations are severely depleted,

us_land_practices

Emerging Land Use Practices Rapidly Increase Soil Organic Matter

“Emerging land uses, such as management-intensive grazing, may offer a rare win–win strategy combining profitable food production with rapid improvement of soil quality and short-term climate mitigation through soil carbon accumulation (sequestration)” NOTE: This study was originally posted to Nature Communications / Nature.com Abstract The loss of organic matter

Agriculture: Sowing the Seeds of Global Trade Competition

“We’ve never had free trade, especially agricultural trade. Bi-lateral (country-to-country) trade agreements are potentially better for regenerative farmers and ranchers—and therefore wildlife—than the managed trade between the great power blocks which are dominated by the agro-giants and their government allies. NOTE: This article was initially published to

Wyman Meinzer: Chasing Light

Wyman Meinzer: Chasing Light

A video biography of Texas’ State Photographer.

free_range_cattle

"Invasion Biology"

Holistic Planned Grazing on Rangelands: Why the Gap Between Researcher Beliefs and Rancher Experience?

In this paper published in the Journal of Environmental Management, Texas A&M range scientists and their colleagues discuss why—70 years after the development of holistic planned grazing, and notwithstanding the positive experience reported by so many producers who use it—academicians and researchers remain closed to its